Folding bed or couch



May 3, 1927.

1,626,801 0. FICHTENBAUM FOLDING BED OR COUCH Filed Aug. l8, 1 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 N N N IINVENTOR UJmr z'ci fezzazzm r 3 192 May 7 o. FICHTENBAUM FOLDING BED 0R COUCH Filed Aug. 18, 1924 2-Sheets-Sheet 2 wax QM Q *3 INVENTOR flrcar/ z'v/Me/zbazzm BY fil- A'%ZY 4 strip fastening device.

an... 3,1927. A v 1,626,801 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR FIGHTENBAUM, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK,

FOLDING BED OR COUCH.

, Application filed August 18, 1924. Serial No. 732,642.

M invention relates to improvements in provided, secured to the end board and profolding beds or couches, including the type vided with vertical slots 1". Plates 5 are commonly known as daveuports. secured to the inner face of the front board An important object of the invention 1s to or base board 5, and these plates are proprovide a simple, strong and durable folding vided with headed studs 5". To attach orstructure which may be moved from folded properly locate the front board 5 it is only to extended position and back again, with necessary to pass the shanks of studs 5 very small physical effort. through the vertical slots 1*, as sufficiently A further object is to yieldingly check or indicated in the drawings; and the front cushion the folding structure at certam board may at any time be quickly and easily points or through certain ranges of moveremoved in an obvious way. e The folding or bed structure includes the Another object is to provide in connection .main frame portions 7 and 8 connected by an with other features, a new and improved intermediate or link section 9. The main foldable support for the outer frame section sections are constructed in generally recwhen in open position, and also an improved tangular form of angle iron. Section 7 inarrangement and the davenport couch seat cludes end members 10 connected by a lonin relation to the outer foldable frame secgitudinal back member 11. Section 8 intion. eludes end members 12 connected by a'longi- The characteristics and advantages of the tudinal front member 13. The link or ininvention are further sufliciently explained termediate section 9 includes short link in connection with the following detail de strips 14 pivoted to the front ends of strips scription of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one exemplifying embodito the rear or inward ends of strips 12 by ment of the invention. After considering rivets 16. The last named pivotal connecthis example, persons skilled in the art will tions desirably include the links 14 and short understand that many variations may be strips 17 secured to the link members at 18 made within'the principles'of the invention,- and bent to form, in connection with the and I. contemplate the employment of any link members, clevises which embrace the structures that are properly within the ends of the vertical flanges of the strips 12, scope of the appended claims. as clearl shown in Fig. 2. The forward Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse section of a ends of t e strips 17 constitute arms 19, the folding couch or davenport embodying the ends of which are pivotally connected to invention in one form. links 20, the outward ends of which are Fig. 2 is a plan view of one end of the pivotally connected at 21 to legs 22, which same. are pivotally connected at 23 to frame mem- Fig. 3 is a section in the same plane as bers '12. By this arrangement, when the [0 by rivets 15 and also pivotally connected Fig. 1, showing the structure partly folded. structure is folded the legs are brought 7 Fig. 4 is a section showing the structure alongside the end frame members 12, where completely folded. they lie close to the end boards 1, and when Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view-of a frame the structure is extended as shown in Fig. 1, the legs are moved to vertical position to Fig. 6 is a detail in section of a front or securely support the frame section 8 and the base board and its connecting or supporting entire outer portion of the foldable mattress means. ame.

The main frameof the couch or davenport The central or link section 9 also includes structure may be substantially as usual, ina tubular longitudinal bar 25, the' ends of eluding in the present specific example, end which are slightly cranked as at 26 and conpieces or boards 1 provided with the usual nected pivotally or rigidly to the link memend and arm cushions 2, horizontal back bus 14 by means of lugs 27. connecting strips 3, the upper ends of which The inner folding section 7 is supported support the usual back cushion 4, and a front and moved in constantly arallel relation to horizontal connecting member or front board any one of its positions y arms 30 and 31 5. The front or base board 5 may be secured located near the end boards and pivotally to the end board 1 in various ways, but connected to short brackets 32 and 33 which preferably, as shown, angle pieces 1 are are riveted to members 10. The lower ends able brackets or studs secured to the end bars, but which preferably, for convenience and economy in manufacturlng and assembly, or in repair and renewal of parts, are

arranged as pivot studs secured to horizontal strips 36. At the rear end, each of these strips has a horizontal clevis or slot "37, and at its forward end a vertical slot or clevis 38. The rear clevis (go-operates with a stud 39 extending from a plate 40 screwed to the end board and the front clevis co-operates with a stud 41 extending from a plate 42 secured to the end board and provided with a wing nut 44. A washer 44" is also desirably provided, located between the wing nut and strip 36. The washer is apertured to accommodate. the screw 41 and has its upper and lower margins bent at right angles to form flanges 44 overlying the upper and lower edges of strip 36, so that when the washer is positioned as shown in Fig. 5 and the wing nut screwed down on it, strip 36 is positively locked against any accidental or forcible displacement. By this arrangement the strips 36 with their connected parts may be easily placed in position by positioning the slot or clevis 37 on stud 39 and then moving the strip'about the stud as an axis until the front slot or clevis 38 embraces screw 41-; and the strip is then clamped by turning up the wing nut 44, to securely hold the link or lever structure in position. Also associated with the strips 36 are levers 50 which may be identified conveniently as cushioning levers. These levers are pivotally'connected to strips 36 at 51', and have upper end portions 52- turned in at right angles to engage the rear faces of levers 30 ata certain point in the folding movement. An auxiliary or tension spring ,53 is provided for each of the cushioning levers. These springs are connected between brackets 54 secured to the end boards and brackets 55 secured to the levers near their pivot points. When the levers are free or in the position shown in Fig. 1, the springs are usually entirely collapsed but ready to exert yielding tension upon the levers as soon as the latter are moved rearward in co-operation with lever arms 30. The lever arms 30 are also desirably provided with lugs 58 consisting of bent flat strips arranged to cooperate with levers 50 or the spring brackets 55 thereon, during certain parts of the movement, as sufficiently explained hereafter.

Guide or brace strips 60 are angularly secured to the end boards. These have camlike or beveled portions 61, Fig. 2, which cooperate with lever arms 31 when the structure is in extended position to brace these arms and prevent end movement bf the inner portion of the bed structure.

Main operating or tension springs are board 5, in positions corresponding to the location of link members 14, these link members contacting with the bearing plates in certain positions, as sufficiently explained,v in the operative description.-

The couch or davenport seat comprises a cushion secured to the usual wood sea-t frame 81, which may be provided, with a strap 82 to assist in manipulation of the folding structure. When the. structureis folded, this handle attached to what isthen the rear edge of the seat frame, lies close to the lower portion of the back cushion, but

is located so that it can be easily reached. and

grasped when the bed is to be opened. H

At the rear side. (with reference-to the folded position) the seat frame isconnected to frame section 8 by pins 85 engaging in slots in brackets 86 secured to frame 8. At the front edge also with reference to folded position) the ront seat frame member is provided with vertical'angle strips 87 which project substantially beyond the lower edge I of the Wood frame member. These angle strips have pivoted links 88 pivotally connected to" links 89 which are in turn pivot: ally connected to brackets 90-on the under sides of link members 14.

When the structure is folded, as shown in Fig. 4, the auxiliary or cushion springs 53 are fully -tensioned, this tension pull being exerted through the spring brackets 55 and lever brackets-'58 upon levers 30, butthis pull is insufficient to move the folding structure without the application of manual effort. The main or tension springs 65 are collapsed and idle. To open the bed the operator grasps the strap handle 82 and pulls upward and outward. Only moderate leave contact with the vertical inner face of the front board 5, and these angle pieces have a pivotal or slightly sliding bearing on the inner edges of the bearing plates 75. This provides a leverage or fulcrum to aid in the opening movement and also prevents any injurious contact between the folding structure and the upper edge of the front board 5. The opening movement continues with the aid of the cushion or auxiliary springs 53 until the structure is in an intermediate or partly open position, as shown in Fig. 3. During this movement the changing relative positions of the spring levers 50 and supporting levers or arms 30 causes the application of the auxiliary spring effect to change from that alfordedby the contact of brackets 55 and 58 to the contact point provided by the inbent ends 52 of the spring lever engaging with edges of the supporting levers 30, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. At about the point indicated in Fig. 3, there is no substantial further resistance to the opening movement, but on the contrary the weight of the parts tends to expedite the opening movement. At about this moment the main springs 65 come into action and by increasing tension pull resist the opening movement so that the structure may be easily let down into fully open position as shown in Fig. 1, without any great physical exertion on the part of the user. As the outer frame section swings around to the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 1, the linkage consisting of members 88 and 89 permits the outer end of. the seat frame, which is now the inner portion, to drop down, while the outer end drops down by movement of the pins 85 in slots or brackets 86. During the same movement of the outer frame portion, the legs 22 are extended to vertical position by obvious action of the links 20 in cooperation with frame connecting links 1a to support the entire outer portion of the bed structuresecurely, and to properly and rigidly bear the weight of occupants.

To fold the structure, the strap handle 82 is grasped and moved upward and inward, the only effort required bein to move the outer frame section pivotally a out the outer ends of links 14. At the same time the inner frame section swings inward by the angular movement of supporting levers 30 and 31, and the-main springs 65 immediately exert a tension tending to facilitate this movement. At the proper point the cushion or retarding springs 53 come into action to prevent unduly rapid folding and also to re lieve the operator of physical strain of this folding movement. The application of the force of springs 53 through the levers 50 varies or shifts in reverse manner to that described in connection with the opening movement. Finally the frame members are all folded and seated on supporting brackets and the seat structure drops down to normal position as shown in Fig. 4, with the front seat frame member resting on the upper edge of the front board 5..

The mattress 90 may be made in foldable Foldab1e head and foot boards or pillow rests may be provided, which consist in the present example of horizontal members or boards 95 connected to arms 96 pivoted at 97 to brackets 98, which are secured to the end strips 12 of the outer frame member. These head and foot boards are opened and closed in an obvious way when the structure is in extended position. Springs 96 may be provided, tensioned between the boards 95 or brackets on these boards, or the arms 96 and fixed points on frame members 8, and these springs serve by their tension pull to maintain the head and foot boards either in their elevated or folded positions.

I claim:

1. A folding bed or couch comprising a couch structure, an inner mattress frame, parallel levers connecting the mattress frame at each end to the couch structure, main springs connected between the couch structure and the mattress frame to exert an inward pull, auxiliar springs and levers controlled thereby an arranged to engage certain of the parallel levers during a.

bers secured to the end boards near their lower edges, two spaced parallel levers pivotally connected to each frame member, an inner mattress frame pivotally connected to the parallel levers and maintained by them in horizontal position during opening and folding movement, main springs connected between the end boards and the mattress frame to resist opening movement, auxiliary levers arranged to engage with certain of the parallel levers through considerable inward portions of their arcs of movement, auxiliary springs connected between the end boards of the auxiliary levers, the last named springs and levers serving to resist inward movement of the mattress frame and to aid outward movement;during portions of the frame travel, and at least one other mattress frame structure having articulated connection with the mattress frame first mentioned.

3. A folding bed or couch comprising the end boards and back connections, frame members secured to the end boards near their lower edges, two spaced parallel levers pivotally connected to each frame member,

an inner mattress frame pivotally connected to the parallel levers and maintained by them in horizontal position during opening and folding movement, main springs connected between the end boards and the mattress frame to resist opening movement, auxiliary levers pivotally connected to said frame members and arranged for shifting engagement with certain of the parallel levers, auxiliary springs connected between the end boards and the auxiliary levers, the last named springs and levers serving to resist inward movement of the mattress frame and to aid outward movement during portions of the frame travel, and at least one other mattress frame structure having articulated connection with the mattress frame nected to the outer section, and members projecting therefrom to co-operate with the inner face of the front board when in'folded position, and to act with a leverage effect upon the upper edge of the front board during the first part of the opening movement.

frame strip having a horizontal slot at one end co-operating with one of the studs and a vertical slot at the other end co-operatl-ng with the other stud, a nut on the last named stud to lock the frame'strip in position, a folding structure, and parallel levers pivotally connected to the frame strip and also to the folding structure.

6. A folding bed or couch comprising) a couch structure, a folding structuremova ly connected thereto and including an inner mattress frame and an outer mattrem frame, short members pivotally connected to and connecting together said mattress frames, a seat frame, slotted rigid brackets at the outer end of the outer mattress frame cooperating with pins on the seat frame, and articulated links connecting the other end of the seat frame to said short member, whereby the seat may drop below the mattress section when in unfolded position, and may fold down compactly upon the outer mattress section and to proper location in the couch structure when in folded position.

Signed at borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York this 5th day of August, A. D. 1924.

OSCAR FIQHTENBAUM. 

